Ash receiver



G. F. GIELOW ET Al.

ASH RECEIVER April 23, 1968 Filed Aug, 19, 1966 HUBERT L. EDWARDS .F.zg.

www, my g www? ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,379,199 ASH RECEIVER George F. Gielow and Robert L. Edwards, Mansfield, Ohio, assignors to Armell Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 19, 1966, Ser. No. 573,538 7 Claims. (Cl. 131-235) The present invention relates generally, as indicated, to an ash receiver, and, more specifically, to an ash receiver finding particularly advantageous use in transportation vehicle environments such as buses and the like.

In transportation Vehicles, particularly intercity buses, ash receivers must be designed with the vehicle operating conditions in mind. On relatively long, cross-country bus runs, the ash receiver is susceptible to accumulation of relatively large amounts of cigaret ashes, butts and other waste materials. The ash receiver must accordingly be designed to accommodate such relatively long periods of use without clogging or overflowing until the receiver can be emptied, for example at the completion of the run.

Moreover, the receiver should desirably be designed to permit convenient use thereof and to facilitate removal of the receiver contents in order to expedite cleaning of the bus or like vehicle at convenient intervals.

With the above in mind, a primary object of the present invention is to provide an ash receiver of relatively high volume capable of receiving and storing substantial quantities of cigaret ashes, butts and other waste material thereby to permit relatively long periods of use of the receiver before emptying is required.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an ash receiver of the type described which can lbe simply and quickly emptied. Specifically, the ash receiver includes a front cover spanning the entire length of the receiver and pivotally mounted to swing away from the ash receiver body thereby to permit the quick emptying of the entire receiver contents when a receptacle such as a bag or the like is positioned below the receiver and the front cover swung to such open position.

A further object of the `present invention is to provide an ash receiver which can be quickly mounted on the back of the vehicle seat, is highly attractive in appearance and convenient to use, and which is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the `features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed drawing setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention, these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawing:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary rear view of the ash receiver of the invention, shown mounted in place on the back of the vehicle seat;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view through the receiver, with the front cover being shown in solid lines in its closed position and in fragmentary dashed lines in its open position;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2, and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4--4 of FIG. 2.

Referring now in more detail to the drawings, wherein like parts are indicated by like reference numerals, the vehicle seat generally indicated at 1t? includes a generally vertically extending back section 11, a downwardly and rice forwardly inclined top section 12, an upwardly and forwardly inclined bottom section 13 and a rearwardly directed side section 14 at the aisle end of the seat. It will be understood that the seat 1() is intended merely to represent a typical installation environment of the present invention, and that the ash receiver could be mounted -on seats of varying configuration without departing from the invention concepts.

The ash receiver of the present invention is generally indicated at 15 and includes a body section 16 generally lll-shaped in cross-section, reference being made to FIGS. 3 and 4. As best seen in FIG. l, the receiver body 16 is downwardly tapered so as to provide a gradually enlarged receiving area toward the lbottom of the receiver. This construction serves to facilitate gravitation of the cigaret ashes and butts toward the bottom of the receiver in order substantially to prevent clogging of the receiver in the upper regions thereof.

As noted, the body member 16 is of tapered, generally U-shape and includes a back section 17 and integral side flanges 18 and 19. The body section 16 further includes top and bottom sections 20 and 21, respectively, which are extensions of the back section 17 which are lpreferably angled to the same degree as the inclined top and bottom seat sections 12 and 13, respectively. Mounting screws commonly designated at 22 extend through the contiguous sections into the adjoining sections of the seat frame to rigidly mount the receiver body on the seat 1G. In the form shown, metal plates 23 and 24 are incorporated in the seat frame at least in the region of the ash receiver to provide firm support for the receiver and the mounting screws 22.

Mounted to the side flange 18 by spot welding orthe like is an elongated hinge generally indicated at 26 which extends, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, substantially the entire length of the receiver. The hinge 26 is a commercially available type, and the free leg 27 thereof has mounted thereto a receiver cover generally indicated at 28, with the cover being carried by the hinge by a series of rivets or the like commonly designated at 29.

The cover 28 is generally L-shaped with the leg 30 thereof when the cover is closed lying contiguous the side ange 19 of the receiver body. The leg 36 is formed with a longitudinally extending ridge 31 which is adapted to be received by a complemental groove or recess 32 formed in the side flange 19 of the receiver body thereby to frictionally retain the cover in a closed position.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the cover extends the complete length of the receiver, with the cover being formed with a top lip 33 adapted to overlie the front edge of the top section 2t) of the receiver body, and a bottom inturned lip 34 similarly designed to extend over the leading edge of the bottom section 21 of the receiver body. In addition, the hinged end of the cover 2S is curved as indicated at 3S to completely hide the hinge 26 When the cover is closed.

The cover 28 is formed relatively adjacent the top thereof with a rectangular opening 36 within which is mounted a similar shaped metallic frame generally indicated at 37. As best seen in FIG. 3, the frame 37 includes inwardly directed flange portions 3S and 39 which are formed with aligned openings for receiving pivot pin 40 which in turn pivotally carries a door 41, the latter being similarly formed with aligned openings in the side flanges 42 and 43 thereof through which extends the pivot pin 40.

The side flanges 42 and 43 of the door 41 are relatively enlarged adjacent the upper end thereof to facilitate return of the door by gravity to its closed, FIG. 2 position. A downwardly depending lip 44 is provided at the bottom of the door l1 which contacts the metal frame 37 when the door is closed therby to vertically orient the same. A generally cup-shaped snufler 45 is carried by the back 17 of the receiver body 16 just below the lower region of the door 41, with the snulfer 45 being suitably attached to the base by means such as a rivet 46 or the like. The snuer 45 includes a central opening 47 in the bottom thereof to facilitate removal of the ashes from the cigaret and the snufling out of the same. Ashes and butts passing through the central opening 47 gravitate downwardly generally centrally through the receiver for collection in the bottom thereof. ln addition, the souffer- 45 is positioned with the receiver body to function, if desired, as a temporary support for the front portion of the cigaret when the door 41 is opened. The intermediate portion of the cigaret in such case is supported by the exposed bead of the bottom of the metallic frame member 37.

The manner in which the ash receiver of the present invention is used and maintained should be apparent from the above description. To dispose of ashes or the cigaret butt itself, or other waste material, the door 41 is pushed inwardly with the same pivoting about pin t0 as shown in FIG. 2. Ashes and butts gravitate downwardly through the container, normally through the central opening 47 of the snulfer 4S, and gradually collect in the bottom of the receiver, with the same being confined therewithin by the closed cover 28. The body section 16 is tapered as described to facilitate gravitation of the cigaret ashes and butts and to prevent clogging of the same in the relatively upper regions thereof.

To empty the receiver, the cover 28 is opened by pivotally moving the same in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4 and a suitable receptacle placed beneath the receiver to collect the receiver contents. The inclined bottom section 21 of the receiver body facilitates movement of such contents from the body interior. Aithough the cover 2S is shown frictionally retained in a closed position, it will be understood that a lock could be provided which would prevent inadvertent opening of the cover and would permit emptying of the ash receiver only by authorized personnel.

It will thus be seen that in accordance with the present invention, an ash receiver has been provided having a relatively large volume thereby to permit relatively long periods of use thereof before emptying. The receiver contents can be quickly and easily emptied by merely opening the front cover thereby exposing the receiver contents and permitting the same to be emptied from the receiver interior. The receiver is simply constructed, thereby permitting manufacture thereof at relatively low cost, and can be quickly installed on the back of the vehicle seat.

Other modes of Vapplying the principle of the invention may be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims or the equivalent of such be employed.

We therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention:

1. An ash receiver adapted to be mounted on a vehicle seat or the like, comprising a vertically arranged elongated body having an open side and being generally U- shaped in horizontal cross-section, an elongated cover generally coextensive in length with said body, hinge means for hinging said cover to said body, said cover being selectively movable between a closed position closing the otherwise open side of said body of said receiver and an open position spaced from such open side for emptying the receiver contents, a door pivotally mounted on said cover for swinging movement into the interior of said receiver for gaining access thereto when said cover is in a closed position for placing ashes yand the like into said receiver, and means for releasably retaining said cover in a closed position.

2. The ash receiver of claim 1 wherein said body is downwardly tapered to present an increasing crosssectional area toward the bottom of the receiver thereby to prevent clogging in the upper regions thereof.

3. The ash receiver of claim 1 wherein said body includes a back, parallel side flanges, and inclined top and bottom sections which comprise extensions of said back and by means of which said receiver can be mounted on said seat, said bottom inclined section being downwardly and inclined toward said open side to facilitate gravity removal of said receiver contents.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said cover is generally Lshaped in horizontal cross-section, the leg thereof remote from said hinge means lying contiguous one of said side flanges of saidbody section when said cover is in a closed position, and means provided on said leg portion and said one side flange for friction-ally retaining said cover in a closed position.

5. The ash receiver of claim 1 wherein said door is mounted on said cover relatively adjacent the top thereof, and further including cigaret support and snuffer means mounted on the back of said body section and extending generally centrally into the interior of said receiver just below the bottom of said door, said support and snuer means being provided with a central opening for guiding ashes and 'the like downwardly through the receiver interior to `the bottom thereof.

6. The ash receiver of claim 1 wherein said door is mounted for pivotal movement on a horizontally disposed pivot pin, said door including counterbalance means for biasing said door to a substantially vertical position generally coplanar with said cover.

7. The ash receiver of claim 1 wherein said body is downwardly tapered to present an increasing crosssectional area toward the bottom of the receiver thereby to prevent clogging in the upper regions thereof, said cover is generally L-shaped in cross-section, the leg there,- of remote from said hinge means lying contiguous a side flange of said body when said cover is in a closed position, and means for frictionally retaining said cover in a closed position.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,616,436 2/1927 Bird. 1,646,266 10/ 1927 Stoner. 1,817,288 8/1931- Benjamins 1,872,356 8/1932 Stevenson 131-241 1,951,991 3/1934 Patterson. 1,997,043 4/1935 Clark. 2,273,335 2/1942 Simpson 131-235 2,418,188 4/1947 Nixon. 2,595,103 4/1952 Schmaling 131-235 X 2,736,320 2/1956 Roberts 131--235 3,247,953 4/1966 Gielow 206--19.5

FOREIGN PATENTS 856 1904 Great Britain. 574,802 1/ 1946 Great Britain.

a SAMUEL KOREN, Prima/y Examiner'.

JOSEPH S. RECH, Examz'nen 

1. AN ASH RECEIVER ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED ON A VEHICLE SEAT OR THE LIKE, COMPRISING A VERTICALLY ARRANGED ELONGATED BODY HAVING AN OPEN SIDE AND BEING GENERALLY USHAPED IN HORIZONTAL CROSS-SECTION, AN ELONGATED COVER GENERALLY COEXTENSIVE IN LENGTH WITH SAID BODY, HINGE MEANS FOR HINGING SAID COVER TO SAID BODY, SAID COVER BEING SELECTIVELY MOVABLE BETWEEN A CLOSED POSITION CLOSING THE OTHERWISE OPEN SIDE OF SAID BODY OF SAID RECEIVER AND AN OPEN POSITION SPACED FROM SUCH OPEN SIDE FOR 